How to Connect a Car Audio Subwoofer to Your Home Amplifier

What You'll Need

RCA wires

Speaker wire

Power supply

Wire strippers

Flathead screwdriver

What You'll Need

RCA wires

Speaker wire

Power supply

Wire strippers

Flathead screwdriver

If you have a car audio subwoofer that is not used in your car, you may want to install it in your home to enhance your home stereo or theatre system. This is a relatively easy task and does not require any special skills. Before attempting this install, be sure that you have some RCA wires, speaker wire, and the correct voltage power supply that the subwoofer needs. After you have assembled these materials, you can then begin your installation procedures.

Step One: Place your Tools

The most basic step in any type of installation or repair job is to make sure that you have all of the tools you will need and put them in a position for easy access. In this case, you will need wire strippers, a flathead screwdriver, and the items listed above. After tools are properly assembled, you are ready to begin.

Step Two: Place the Amp

You should begin this process by placing your amplifier in the position that it will stay in. You will be attaching speaker wire and RCA cables and you need to get the distance correct before you begin cutting and stripping. A good rule of thumb is to measure the distance needed for the amplifier as well as your speakers and cut an extra twelve to eighteen inches more.

Step Three: Installing the Power Supply

It is now time to install your power supply. You will need to make sure that your power source can be plugged into a 120 volt outlet, and the power can then be converted to twelve volts of direct current. To do this, you want to cut your speaker wire that will run from the positive and negative posts on your power source to the ground and positive post on the amplifier. You will connect the negative post on the power source to the ground on the amplifier and will connect positive posts together on both the power supply and the amplifier. You will then connect the remote tap on the amplifier to the power tap on the power source.

Step Four: Speaker Connection

You are now ready to connect your speakers and are almost finished. You will use the speaker output contained on the amplifier to connect your speakers. Most amps power two to four speakers depending on the amount of channels the amplifier has. If it has two channels, then the amplifier will power two speakers.

Step Five: Connecting your Sound

With the speakers connected, you are now ready to connect your sound. Find the RCA wires and connect the left and right wires to the output for audio contained on the stereo that you will be using. You will connect the other end to the amplifier, which should have a red and white input. You will always match colors when connecting RCA wires. You are now ready to test.

Step Six: Testing your System

Find the gain switch on your amplifier and turn it completely down by turning it counter clockwise. Turn on your stereo but before you do, make sure the volume is very low. Plug in the power source and turn the amplifier on. You can now turn on your radio and turn the volume up to your normal listening level. Slowly adjust the gain switch on your amplifier to bring it up to the levels you will be listening at.

If you have a car audio subwoofer that is not used in your car, you may want to install it in your home to enhance your home stereo or theater system. This is a relatively easy task and does not require any special skills.

Step 1 - Place your Tools

The most basic step in any type of installation or repair job is to make sure that you have all of the tools you will need and put them in a position for easy access. After tools are properly assembled, you are ready to begin.

Step 2 - Place the Amp

You should begin this process by placing your amplifier in the position that it will stay in. You will be attaching speaker wire and RCA cables and you need to get the distance correct before you begin cutting and stripping. A good rule of thumb is to measure the distance needed for the amplifier as well as your speakers and cut an extra twelve to eighteen inches more.

Step 3 - Installing the Power Supply

It is now time to install your power supply. You will need to make sure that your power source can be plugged into a 120 volt outlet, and the power can then be converted to 12 volts of direct current. To do this, you want to cut your speaker wire that will run from the positive and negative posts on your power source to the ground and positive post on the amplifier. You will connect the negative post on the power source to the ground on the amplifier and will connect positive posts together on both the power supply and the amplifier. You will then connect the remote tap on the amplifier to the power tap on the power source.

Step 4 - Speaker Connection

You are now ready to connect your speakers and are almost finished. You will use the speaker output contained on the amplifier to connect your speakers. Most amps power 2 to 4 speakers depending on the amount of channels the amplifier has. If it has 2 channels, then the amplifier will power 2 speakers.

Step 5 - Connecting your Sound

With the speakers connected, you are now ready to connect your sound. Find the RCA wires and connect the left and right wires to the output for audio contained on the stereo that you will be using. You will connect the other end to the amplifier, which should have a red and white input. You will always match colors when connecting RCA wires. You are now ready to test.

Step 6 - Testing your System

Find the gain switch on your amplifier and turn it completely down by turning it counter clockwise. Turn on your stereo, but before you do, make sure the volume is very low. Plug in the power source and turn the amplifier on. You can now turn on your radio and turn the volume up to your normal listening level. Slowly adjust the gain switch on your amplifier to bring it up to the levels you will be listening at.